Album Review

Lauren Adams is Something Else

Lauren Adams is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, whose music is an impressive blend of alt. country, folk and rock.

Somewhere Else is her new album, just released this week, and demonstrates her pure voice and keen ability to craft meaningful, structured songs that leave an indelible mark. One of the many absorbing tracks on the album is 'Bayview Drive' which floats beautifully. The closing track 'Seminole Wind' is an alt. country epic. A long, driving, fuzz-laden plea that (and I don't say this lightly) harks back to classic Neil Young/Crazy Horse material. The song was written by John Anderson in the 1980’s and deals with the loss of habitat of Seminole tribes in Florida. It is worth the admission price alone.

Adams has a reputation for giving her heart and soul to her music and Somewhere Else has many moments of joy and triumph.

The album was co-produced with guitar veteran Nick Kirgo. At the heart of it is Adams, (guitar, vocal),Mark Pocket Goldberg (bass), Debra Dobkins (drums) and Kirgo (vocals, guitar) and also includes players that constantly elevate the material - Hank VanSickle (John Mayall), David Sutton (Lucinda Williams), Luke Halpin, Dave Fraser and Dave Byer (Christopher Cross).

Adams began her musical career on the famed Troubadour stage in West Hollywood, CA in 1978 and founded and curated the ten year-long music series, “The Americana Music Circle” in Los Angeles.

“My knack is writing from the heart, melody, hooks and good guitar playing,” said Adams, “The next song is usually quite different from the last song you heard.”